NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries

NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured Nigerians that Nestlé infant formula products approved for sale in Nigeria are safe, following public concern over a voluntary global recall of SMA Infant Formula in more than 50 countries.

In a statement issued by the NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency clarified that the recall by Nestlé UK was limited to specific batches overseas and does not affect products available in the Nigerian market.

According to NAFDAC, the recall was prompted by the potential presence of cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting, in some UK-manufactured batches. Cereulide is described as a heat-resistant toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus.

“The Agency wishes to reassure the public, healthcare professionals and relevant stakeholders, particularly parents, guardians and caregivers, that all Nestlé infant formulae currently approved for marketing in Nigeria are safe for consumption and are not part of the recall,” the statement said.

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NAFDAC explained that the SMA infant formula sold in Nigeria is manufactured at the Nestlé Tuas Factory in Singapore and is fully registered and approved by the agency. It further confirmed that both the SMA and NAN ranges produced for the Nigerian market are not among the affected batches involved in the voluntary recall abroad.

The agency noted that the public advisory was issued purely as a precautionary public health measure, in line with NAFDAC’s mandate to keep Nigerians informed of global food safety developments, even where the risk of local exposure is low.

However, NAFDAC warned that potential risks could still arise through unauthorised importation, online purchases, or personal carriage of recalled products during international travel.

The agency assured Nigerians that it remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety of food and pharmaceutical products in Nigeria, while continuing to monitor global developments related to infant nutrition and food safety.

NAFDAC Reassures Nigerians as Nestlé Recalls SMA Infant Formula in 50 Countries